Such is the life of the recluse. Believe  it or not there are people who actually choose to live and die this way. Specially older folks. I know of a few. They prefer to live alone and not be a burden to anyone and die alone too. Such people would shun relatives/friends etc and take pains in doing so. Now was the lady in the OP one of them?If yes, then we needn't pity her cos she lived and died the way she wanted.

Had she not been of them,then its heartbreaking really.Didn't she have any kids?Personally I would never want to go that way..I guess that's why in Islam we actually have a prayer to make for a blessed old age!